Echo 14-Day
Earn ASA 101, 103, and 104 certifications and develop leadership skills
Echo 14-Day
Overview
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- In-depth advanced sailing and seamanship training
- Leadership training in an experiential learning environment
- Optional PADI Discover Scuba or Recreational diving for those already certified
- ASA Certifications 101, 103 & 104
- 14 days – $5295
- Echo is a pre-requisite for any student who is thinking of applying to our Mate-In-Training program
Command your own 50-foot monohull and experience the exhilaration that comes with the challenge. Guided by our senior staff, you and your crew navigate the BVI and also experience the thrill of blue water ocean sailing. Even if you arrive without any sailing experience, you’ll progress quickly through the basics and learn advanced skills such as coastal and offshore navigation, GPS, anchoring/docking, boat systems, and sea safety. You’ll earn ASA Basic Keelboat Certification, Basic Coastal Cruising and opt for Bareboat Cruising. Your success during island passage-making prepares you to manage the unexpected. Practice on our Colgate 26 sharpens your sailing techniques.
Become an inspirational leader. By engaging in practical drills, interactive lessons, and peer group training, you’ll learn to lead by example. You’ll plan and deliver lessons on sailing and seamanship. You’ll gain a new awareness of group dynamics, conflict resolution, effective communication, and problem-solving. Apply for an internship with stipend and join the SC staff after Echo ends. Call for details. The only limit is your drive and imagination. In addition to sailing and seamanship, you’ll participate in watersports, and explore the islands.
Echo 14-Day Activities
Kayaking
Ready for a little exploring with a friend? With all the beautiful anchorages and coves we visit there’s much to explore by paddle power.
Snorkeling
Meet the creatures below the waves. Swim alongside a friendly sea turtle, join a school of Blue Tang fish, and explore the reefs!
Stand Up Paddleboarding
Get your footing and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to maneuver with perfect balance. You’ll have terrific views above, as well as below the waves.
Tubing
Our Number 1 watersports toy is nicknamed “Papa”. You’ll be hanging on so tight you won't even be able to give a thumbs-up.
Wakeboarding
Once you’re up it’s a thrill every single second, especially if you get airborne. No wonder this is a Sail Caribbean one-handed favorite!
Waterskiing
Get up, get steady! Then you’ll be zipping back and forth across the wake for a ride you’ll remember.
Windsurfing
After you’ve learned to read the wind, you’re sure to take full advantage of it on your rig. Time to hook in and hold on!
Small Boat Sailing
You’ll learn so much on your big yacht. Try applying your seamanship skills to smaller boats and feel how swiftly they respond.
Social Events
Dance with Moko-Jumbie stilt walkers at our Fireball Party, win the famous Chili Cookoff, and compete for glory at the SC Olympics.
Beach Sports
Team up for a spirited game of volleyball or a fast-paced soccer tournament, then cool off rehearsing a synchronized swim.
Hiking
The islands we visit are mountainous. Reaching the best vantage points provides challenges, but the pay offs are breathtaking vistas!
Community Service
Whether your interest is in cultural heritage, marine biology, or environmental conservation, you’ll have opportunities to roll up your sleeves and pitch in!
Island Exploration
Hike through a rainforest, travel mountainous hillside roads, learn about the art of glassblowing, visit an organic farm, and discover different cultures.
Scuba
If you choose scuba, it doesn't matter if you're a seasoned diver or if you're taking your very first scuba lesson. You're in for the ultimate dive experience.
Advanced Sailing
There are opportunities to build on your sailing and seamanship skills through American Sailing Association courses which include practice time on our 26' Colgate training boat, Opal Bella.
Advanced Scuba
Work your way up from Advanced Open Water to Rescue Diver with Specialty certifications along the way. If you're 18, you can even 'Go Pro' and become a PADI Divemaster.
Kayaking
Ready for a little exploring with a friend? With all the beautiful anchorages and coves we visit there’s much to explore by paddle power.
Snorkeling
Meet the creatures below the waves. Swim alongside a friendly sea turtle, join a school of Blue Tang fish, and explore the reefs!
Stand Up Paddleboarding
Get your footing and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to maneuver with perfect balance. You’ll have terrific views above, as well as below the waves.
Tubing
Our Number 1 watersports toy is nicknamed “Papa”. You’ll be hanging on so tight you won't even be able to give a thumbs-up.
Wakeboarding
Once you’re up it’s a thrill every single second, especially if you get airborne. No wonder this is a Sail Caribbean one-handed favorite!
Waterskiing
Get up, get steady! Then you’ll be zipping back and forth across the wake for a ride you’ll remember.
Windsurfing
After you’ve learned to read the wind, you’re sure to take full advantage of it on your rig. Time to hook in and hold on!
Small Boat Sailing
You’ll learn so much on your big yacht. Try applying your seamanship skills to smaller boats and feel how swiftly they respond.
Social Events
Dance with Moko-Jumbie stilt walkers at our Fireball Party, win the famous Chili Cookoff, and compete for glory at the SC Olympics.
Beach Sports
Team up for a spirited game of volleyball or a fast-paced soccer tournament, then cool off rehearsing a synchronized swim.
Hiking
The islands we visit are mountainous. Reaching the best vantage points provides challenges, but the pay offs are breathtaking vistas!
Community Service
Whether your interest is in cultural heritage, marine biology, or environmental conservation, you’ll have opportunities to roll up your sleeves and pitch in!
Island Exploration
Hike through a rainforest, travel mountainous hillside roads, learn about the art of glassblowing, visit an organic farm, and discover different cultures.
Scuba
If you choose scuba, it doesn't matter if you're a seasoned diver or if you're taking your very first scuba lesson. You're in for the ultimate dive experience.
Advanced Sailing
There are opportunities to build on your sailing and seamanship skills through American Sailing Association courses which include practice time on our 26' Colgate training boat, Opal Bella.
Advanced Scuba
Work your way up from Advanced Open Water to Rescue Diver with Specialty certifications along the way. If you're 18, you can even 'Go Pro' and become a PADI Divemaster.
ON EVERY SAIL CARIBBEAN ADVENTURE
Sail Caribbean offers ten different adventure groups with 30 different sessions in the British Virgin and Leeward Islands of the Caribbean. You live aboard a modern 50′ monohull yacht or 45′ catamaran with other teens in your age group and learn to sail. No experience is necessary. Every adventure focuses on an activity, but each offers scuba, marine biology, community service, cultural exchange, watersports, friendships, personal growth and lifelong memories.
Want to compare adventures? Download our 2023 Schedule (PDF)!
Echo 14-Day
Itinerary
Day 1
At Hodges Creek Marina, you’ll have a chance to get acquainted with our beautiful home base! Meet your Captain, mate, and everyone on your program. You’ll get fitted for snorkel gear and have your first boat meeting over delicious chicken, rice and slaw. You and the rest of the crew get ready to set the course for the rest of your adventures to come.
Days 2-4
You’ll learn everything you need to know prior to your first sail across the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Norman Island. Snorkel the caves and “The Indians”. Plot a course to Cooper Island where you’ll begin comprehensive sailing and basic keelboat instruction. You’ve got points-of-sail and tacking under your belt already!
Days 5-7
By the end of the first week, your 50’ sloop will feel like home. You and your crew will debrief the day at boat meeting each night and give each other feedback on how the group worked together as a team and how those in leadership roles stepped up. Pick up a mooring ball at Bitter End Yacht Club and enjoy a day at the 5-star resort.
Days 8-10
Your crew falls into a natural rhythm as you set out for tiny Marina Cay. Go for a Hike to the Mangroves and Bubbly Pools at Jost Van Dyke. Once home to pirates, its lush seagrass bed now serve as a hangout for Caribbean green sea turtles that you’re sure to encounter when you go for a snorkel.
Days 11-14
As your adventure nears its end, it’ll be time to prepare for your ASA exams. Head to Monkey Point and find that you and your crewmates are in total control of your vessel. We’ll stop back at Cooper on the way to our base at Hodges Creek for your final Basic Keelboat lessons. You’ll say farewells and exchange plane letters before parting ways and heading home.
Echo 14-Day
Sessions
Echo
Begin Date
05/31/2023
End Date
06/13/2023
2023 Tuition
$5295
Service Hours
3-5
# of Dives
2-4
Optional
Courses
Sailing
ASA 101: Basic Keelboat Certification
Prerequisites: None
If you’re arriving at Sail Caribbean with prior sailing experience and are very keen on making the commitment to learn more, why not take this opportunity to gain a nationally recognized certification? You’ll participate in seminars and practice your helmsmanship on our big boats, and then demonstrate your sailing and seamanship skills during two to three intensive days on our own Colgate 26’, Opal Bella. The goal of this certification is for the participants to be able to single-hand (maneuver alone) these keelboats. Written and practical exams fulfill the requirements and you’ll have an official certification that’s valid for years to come and a stepping-stone to many other sailing certifications. View more details about ASA certifications here.
ASA 103: Basic Coastal Cruising
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA101) certification
Demonstrated ability to skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered (outboard or inboard engine) keelboat of approximately 25 to 35 feet length by day in moderate winds and sea conditions. Knowledge of cruising sailboat terminology, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, docking procedures, intermediate sail trim, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, weather forecast interpretation, safety and seamanship. View more details about ASA certifications here.
ASA 104: Bareboat Cruising
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA101) and Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA103) certifications
Demonstrated ability to skipper a sloop-rigged, auxiliary powered keelboat (or catamaran, if course is conducted on such) of approximately 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day cruise upon inland or coastal waters in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots) and sea conditions. Course is conducted as a live-aboard cruise of at least 48 hours. Knowledge of provisioning, galley operations, boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, routine maintenance procedures, advanced sail trim, coastal navigation including basic chart plotting and GPS operation, multiple-anchor mooring, docking, health & safety, emergency operations, weather interpretation, and dinghy/tender operation. View more details about ASA certifications here.
Scuba
PADI Discover SCUBA Diving
Discover a whole new world beneath the waves!
You will experience the thrill of scuba diving under the close supervision of a qualified PADI Instructor in ideal conditions. Under the palm trees on the beach, we’ll begin with an orientation and skills session – you’ll be introduced to the basic concepts of scuba diving. Next you’ll learn about equipment, basic skills and safety procedures. Afterwards, you’ll practice those important scuba skills in three to five feet of calm, clear water right off the beach. You’ll continue with your first dive experience off that same beach in 20-30 feet of calm water. Once you’re comfortable with the basic skills, one of our custom dive boats will take you to enjoy your first open water dive. It will be no deeper than 30ft, and you’ll be able to explore one of our amazing reefs with your instructor.
The DSD course is available on all of our programs except Charlie. Students will spend 2-3 sessions with our PADI instructors. In the future, if you decide to become certified, these skills and the open water dives may be credited towards your PADI Open Water Diver course.
PADI Recreational Diving
Prerequisite: Must be Open Water certified or equivalent
Non-certification recreational diving is available as an option on all of our adventures. Ever imagine diving on a coral garden, drifting through a rainbow canyon, or exploring a sunken wreck? You will enjoy recreational diving in the BVI with our own Sail Caribbean Divers Instructors and Divemasters. On Delta in the Leeward Islands, professional dive instructors from each island along with our dive staff take you to gorgeous dive sites. You’ll gain expert knowledge from each local instructor and get the most out of every dive site you visit. You must provide proof of certification from a recognized agency like PADI, NAUI, YMCA, or NASDS.
Echo 14-Day
Adventure Blog
Echo 2018 Adventures Day 13: Putting Our True Sailing Skills To The Test
FULL STORY
Echo 2018 Adventures Day 11: ASA Lesson On Man-Over-Board Procedural Drill
FULL STORY
Echo 2018 Adventures Day 4: Applying Our Sailing Lessons To Our Broad Reach Voyage For The Day
FULL STORYEcho 14-Day
FAQs
How much sailing experience is needed?
No experience is necessary, but you should be comfortable in and on the water, have a spirit of adventure, the ability to take on responsibility, and a desire to be challenged. Everyone is involved with lots of sailing instruction.
What sailing certifications can I earn?
During the Echo 14-day adventure, you have the option to earn sailing certifications as part of our core curriculum. American Sailing Association’s (ASA) 101 Basic Keelboat Course and ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising are included in the tuition and are part of the curriculum. ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising certification is an option if you decide to challenge yourself even further.
What scuba certifications can I earn?
Optional PADI Discover Scuba is available for those who would like to try scuba diving. Already certified divers can do recreational dives.
Who will my crewmates be?
On Echo, most students come from all parts of the US and are first or second year college students.The boats have 8-10 students and are co-ed. Each day offers leadership, sailing, and meals with your crew and then activities, electives, and socializing with the entire group.
Echo 14-Day
Reviews
“Some of the sea’s mysteries seem to explain our world more adequately than we do. Our boat mimics the beautiful intricacies of the microcosm of the reef. Each mate contributes an invaluable piece of themselves in the life we have onboard. It’s not simply about fulfilling individual duties; but rather, we create something even more beautiful through knowing the hands working alongside our own. Our sailing trip will come to an end, all voyages do. But the friendship we build along the way, those adventures can last a lifetime.”
Sarah M., age 21, Chicago, IL
“…our ASA instructors could not be a better team, both bringing incredible knowledge and teaching skills to the table, making learning so easy and enjoyable. As I reflect on the day, I was able to operate and confidently sail a 26-foot keelboat, ate Oreo Klondike bars while winding through the streets of Tortola in the back of a pickup truck, and completely redefined the idea of “taking class outside.” I honestly think the most amazing part of this whole experience is the people. Every time I meet a new person, I am truly overwhelmed because it simply means I am being introduced to a completely new plethora of knowledge and inspiration, and forming friendships I can confidently say will have an impact on the rest of my life. I can already say this organization and these people have changed my perspective on the world and I cannot wait to see how I continue to grow as the summer progresses on.”
Megan L., age 19 Winter Park, FL
“…it has not taken me even a day to realize that the greatest thing I think I’ll take out of this experience will be everything I will have gained from being around truly magnificent people… people that model, through their actions and character, qualities that I could only ever hope to be able to emulate in the future. I have no doubt in my mind that I will leave this program a better person than when I entered, which should honestly be one of the first questions people ask themselves when making truly any decisions in life.”
Julia M., age 19, Winter Springs, FL